UP Glidden Subdivision Siding Extension

RailWorks contracted to Tug Hill Construction on this project for UP, installing 5,000 concrete ties on a new siding extension on Glidden Sub, which connects Houston and San Antonio. RailWorks provided the labor and equipment to unload the ties in UP’s Flatonia, Texas, rail yard and transport them to the new siding extension in Engle.

Among other responsibilities, RailWorks was responsible for the grading, culvert and track construction. A crew used 136-lb. heavy-haul continuous-welded rail to construct 10,574 track feet on concrete ties, along with 519 track feet on wood ties. They installed 56 track feet of concrete panels.

While UP provided all materials, RailWorks provided labor and equipment for unloading the 5,000 concrete ties in the Flatonia yard and transporting them them to the new siding extension in Engle. RailWorks used a grapple truck with a Rosenqvist SL400 tie jig attachment to unload the ties from railcars and place on semi-trailers. Crews used a John Deere 350D with Rosenqvist SL800 tie jig attachment to offload ties and place them on the grade.

The siding extension enhances efficiency by accommodating long freight trains, allowing freight and passenger trains to stay on the main line while waiting to be staged in the Flatonia yard. The extension also allows UP maintenance crews to store equipment.